Like umm, BOOYAH 'n stuff . . .
FYI (I never did introduce my backstory)
So I graduated with BSME back in . . . wait for it . . . 1998. Worked a short stint in Mechanical/Marine Engineering field before spending almost 14 years in land surveying (yeah!). Through this, I was able to utilize drafting in a tangential civil eng'g capacity. Eventually, due to uptick in housing market in 2014, I was able to get on with a prominent civil eng. firm with great leadership who was willing to take a chance on a nearly dried-up surveyor. That got me up to speed, I put in my 4+ years of qualifying experience, and got that ball rollin'. This was my 2nd attempt. Took first one back in April but I'd only gotten my hands on the AASHTO Greenbook, HSM, HCM, etc. the DAY BEFORE THE TEST. The CERM I was using was a coworkers and was about 20 years old, and I was not diligent with practice tests and such (baby, boys' sports, work, etc.). Add to this that we (wife and 2 boys) bought a house in August of '18 and had a baby girl mid-February of this year. That test (April '19) was a disaster since I also forgot to bring a clock and got cold sweat shaking anxiety mid-way through PM. Still only missed 33 but did a butt load of Christmas tree-ing in the last minute.
For this one, Fall '19, I was able to digest the layouts and content of the manuals, and having taken SOPE program for April '19, I had the 2nd session no charge (a plug for SOPE but they had their shortcomings). I almost missed the re-register deadline and almost got locked out of test due to poor choice of route to test center and heavy construction along these roads. It was nice though to have the rear-most table in the convention center all to myself, just as I did with the April test (I consider these the Lord's provision!).
Having been well-acquainted with humility most of my life, I feel a deep compassion for those who did not pass, especially those throwing in the towel. I have come to a place spiritually as a direct result of these experiences. So if you are among these, please consider this. What we achieve in the world will perish - but through failure, the spirit advances toward what God is creating in us. This is to say that the true silver lining here feels like the cloud, but from an eternal perspective, it is the full intensity of the sun shining beyond . . .
Sorry if I'm getting too deep and/or not making sense, but I am still in a quasi state of shock, and in awe of the power of His hand . . .